Brockville Police

History of the Brockville Police Service

This Police Service was formed in 1832, when the hamlet was created as a Police Village under a Board of Police. In that year, James Kennedy was appointed High Bailiff, and William Smith was the first Constable to be hired.

It is said that one of Smith's first court cases involved several young gentlemen who were accused of driving their horses at a fast pace along the main street. The case was dismissed, and so was Smith.

In the next forty years, there were few changes in the composition of the Police Service except those caused by death. The position of High Constable or Bailiff was held by several men, among whom were John McKenna, Michael Hunter and Thomas Mowat.

In 1876, town Council secured the services of Henry Mitchell of St. Catharine’s as the first Chief of Police. He directed the organization of the Force, which consisted of a Sergeant and five Constables.

Chief Mitchell resigned in 1890 and was followed by Charles Rose, a native of Dundas, Ontario, who was succeeded in 1899 by Chief Samuel Adams. In 1905 William Burke was appointed Chief of Police and held this post until 1926. Records show that during this period the names of some of the police officers were Botham, Burns, Davison, Glazier, Simpson, Storey, Thompson and Foster.

In 1927, John Brown was appointed Chief, and remained in that position until 1938 when he resigned and was replaced by Wilmot F. Young, who held the post until his retirement in 1968. He was succeeded by N.L. Sterritt, who retired in June, 1984. On his retirement, the Police Commission appointed W.M.G. Curtis as Chief of Police. Upon the retirement of Chief Curtis in 1990, R.J. McFadden became the next Chief of Police until his retirement in 1995. Chief Barry V. King was appointed Chief of Police in October 1995, followed by John Manoll, who was appointed to Chief of Police in 2007. Upon Chief Manoll's retirement in January, 2009, Adrian Geraghty, who has been a member of the Brockville Police Service since 1974, was appointed as Chief. Upon Chief Geraghty's retirement, Chief John S. Gardiner was appointed on the 1st of June, 2011.